Plantation Shutters - What They Are, the Different Types and Their History

 

About Plantation Shutters
Shutters of varying types have been in use now throughout the world for over 100 years. Historically utilized as a protection mechanism against inclement weather, their function was to guard against the adverse effects of the sun, wind or rain dependent upon location and prevailing conditions.
In warmer climes it is common to see the fully closed shutter located on the exterior of a building. When closed this would guard against the heat of the sun and also protect against strong winds and dust storms.
In other locations, these same shutters would be used to protect against the effects of rainstorms, wind, seawater and corrosion.
What are Plantation Shutters?
Plantation Shutters are shutters made up of louvered slats. This feature allows for the regulation of sunlight, temperature, ventilation and privacy and also offers some protection against the elements. Popular as a practical solution to any of the above, plantation shutters have also become widely used as for aesthetic purposes, adding style and individuality to the facade of a building.
The Different Styles of Plantation Shutter
Plantation shutters are available in many different styles, shapes and sizes and they can be fitted either to the inside or outside of a window aperture.
Full Cover or Full Height Shutters
As the name suggests, a full cover or full height shutter will cover the entire window pane. Full height window shutters allow you to regulate lighting and ventilation whilst also increasing privacy and security. This type of shutter can be used in any room of the house and looks particularly impressive when fitted to both ground and first floor windows. Their simple styling and elegance easily transforms a building to the pinnacle of chic.
Cafe style Plantation Shutters
A Cafe style louver shutter covers just the bottom half of a window frame. As such it maximises the amount of light available whilst still providing the required amount of privacy. They are equally useful on both ground and first floors, lending understated elegance to the facade of any building. Popularised by French cafes and bars, Cafe style plantation shutters can be created in both louvered and solid panel styles, and come in a range of finishes including natural and painted wood.
Tier on Tier Shutters
A Tier on Tier Shutter is effectively a full height shutter, split into two sections with an upper tier and a lower tier. This allows one to be opened whilst the other remains closed and is ideal for maintaining privacy whilst at the same time, allowing in plenty of natural light.
The History of Plantation Shutters
Originating in America and the West Indies and dating back to before the American Civil War, the plantation shutter with its distinctive louvers was used widely in the large plantation houses, which needed protection from the sun but also wanted the benefits of a cooling breeze.
Since then, its popularity both as a utilitarian fixture and as a style statement has grown and their appeal now is almost worldwide.
Nowadays, a wide range of shutters is available for use both, internally or externally. They provide an attractive alternative to blinds and are particularly suited to homes in built up areas where maintaining privacy without compromising on natural light is important.

The Bespoke Shutter Company supply and install a full range of blinds and shutters in North London and the home counties, including plantation shutters, solid shutters, and cedar shutters, and Venetian and vertical blinds. We have established our reputation by being committed to the highest levels of craftsmanship along with the use of only the best products available. Our plantation shutters are available in a range of solid and engineered woods of the highest quality. Please contact us now to book your free home consultation.

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How to Measure for Plantation Shutters When Installing Them

Plantation shutters are a beautiful way to add a sense of luxury to your home. One of the first steps to installing your shutters is to properly measure the windows that they are intended for. As you follow the steps, you need to keep in mind if the shutters are to be mounted on the inside of the window frame or the outside. The measuring techniques differ. It is also important to take into consideration the backspace as this will provide room for the louver clearance and the operation of the shutters. Make sure there is also space for hand cranks, molding, trim, and even the window itself.
Establishing the Window Squareness
Measure your window diagonally each way. If there is a difference in the diagonal measurements, your window is out of square. If the difference is less than a ¼ of an inch, you should be fine but anything between ¼ and ½ is considered out of square and over ½ inches is considered greatly out of square. The established window squareness will affect the type of frame and mount that you should choose for your plantation shutters.
Inside Mounting Plantation Shutters
On the inside of the drywall or trim at the points where the plantation shutters will be mounted, measure for height and trim. It is important to consider if the drywall or trim narrows further back into the window opening. If it does, you will want to take the narrower of the measurement to determine where you will mount you shutters. It vital that when measuring for inside mounting shutters that you measure the actual window opening and DO NOT make any deductions. The factory will make the shutters slightly smaller than the measurements that you provide so precise measurements are important. You should round down to the nearest 1/16". For example if the measurement falls between 3/16" and 1/4", round down to 3/16". If you round up the shutters will not fit. Use the shortest height and the narrowest width when ordering. The necessary measurements are both diagonal lines, the height vertically from both the left side of the frame and the right as well as the center, and the width horizontally at the top and the bottom of the frame as well as the center.
Outside Mounting Plantation Shutters
There are a few things that you must first consider when mounting shutters on the outside of the frame. Begin by deciding how much of the area that you would like the shutter to cover, do not go by the window itself. Also, decide if you want the shutter's frame mounted on the drywall, on top of the trim, or on the outside of the trim. Follow the same diagonal, vertical, and horizontal methods as given above but using the area to cover the outside as the starting and end points. If your shutter will be mounted outside of the trim, make sure that you took into consideration the need for the shutter to clear the trim. Plantation shutter manufacturers will NOT take any deductions from your measurements on outside mounting plantations shutters.
Café Plantation Shutters and Odd-Shaped Shutters
Trying to measure odd-sized and specialty windows can be tricky. You can usually find information on specialty shutters on the factory's website or you can choose to have professional installers handle the measurement and installation of plantation interior shutters
For some measuring for plantation shutters is a simple process, for others it is best done by someone with experience. Most often, the factory from which you are purchasing your plantation interior shutters has professional installers who can take care of the installation of your beautiful plantation shutters. Whether you properly install the shutters yourself or have a professional take care of the job for you, plantation shutters add elegance and value to your home while accentuating your décor.

Shannon Hodges is Director of Marketing at Eclipse Shutters. Eclipse Shutters is an Atlanta-based custom shutter provider with a network of licensed fabricators around the country. Their company has grown to become the number one shutter selling company in North America and largest manufacturer of tailor-made plantation shutters. Eclipse Shutters was established in 1992 and offers customers fast delivery and a 25-year warranty. Learn more about plantation window shutters at http://www.eclipseshutters.com/about-eclipse-shutters.html.

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What Makes the Best Plantation Shutters: Vinyl, Basswood, Poplar, Maple or Another Hardwood?

 

Plantation shutters are an excellent choice for high quality, attractive and functional window treatments. If you are considering buying plantation shutters, no doubt you quickly learned of the myriad of choices that are available to you.
Plantation shutters can be purchased as stock units or you can buy custom interior shutters to fit your windows. And then there is the construction material - among the most common materials used include vinyl, Basswood, Poplar, Maple and a variety of fine hardwoods. And not surprisingly, each material brings different levels of quality and price ranging from vinyl shutters to custom wood plantation shutters. So which is the best choice for your home?
Plantation Shutter Construction Materials
Here is a summary of the pros and cons for the most common interior shutter materials:
· Vinyl
· Basswood
· Poplar
· Hardwood
Vinyl Interior Shutters
Some of the most affordable interior shutters are made from vinyl.
While vinyl interior shutters will not warp and typically don't require a finish, there is an undeniably synthetic look and feel to them.
The advantage to vinyl is it presents the most economical solution and is widely available.
However, vinyl shutters are among the lowest quality on the market and don't offer the warmth or beauty of wood plantation shutters. And if you are considering vinyl interior shutters, remember that affordable does not always mean value.
Wood Plantation Shutters: Basswood and Poplar
Basswood and Poplar are two of the more common woods used to make interior shutters. Basswood and Poplar are technically hardwoods. But as hardwoods, they are light and relatively soft compared with other hardwoods such as Maple or Oak.
Basswood takes a finish well; it can be either painted or stained. Because Poplar's color is not uniform, ranging from white to green to almost purple, it should be painted only and never stained.
However, when considering wood plantation shutters made of Poplar or Basswood, one should be aware that both are very soft and susceptible to dents and dings. In larger openings, Basswood and Poplar shutters frequently require additional reinforcing or extra rails or stiles for rigidity. The overall width or height of your window treatment may also be limited.
And finally, research the shutter joinery method. Because Poplar and Basswood shutters typically represent the mid-market pricing and quality range, often times the joinery of these interior shutters is inferior to higher quality shutters. For example, you should look for products where the rails are joined with reinforced dowels.
Hardwood Plantation Shutters: Durable and Beautiful
True hardwood plantation shutters, such as maple, represent the highest levels of quality and value in today's plantation shutters. While the initial cost is sometimes higher than a comparably sized Basswood or Poplar shutter, the manufacturing quality is generally superior and there is greater likelihood that your Maple shutters will outlast shutters made from more affordable materials.
In addition to the increased durability and longevity of quality wood plantation shutters, solid hardwood shutters provide greater aesthetic appeal, whether stained or painted. The natural beauty and grain pattern of the vast array of hardwood species presents a limitless palette of design and style for your hardwood plantation shutters. Plus you can select the wood species and finish to match your existing décor.
High quality hardwood plantation shutters will also be custom made to precisely fit your exact window opening. And with a professional installation, your interior shutters will look like they were meant to be there, enhancing the beauty of your room.
The Best Material for Interior Shutters
When it comes to beauty, versatility and durability, no other material can match a quality, dense hardwood such as Maple. Other outstanding choices are Walnut, Mahogany, Oak, Cherry and Alder. While quality hardwood shutters may cost more initially, the lifetime value of your shutters will far exceed that of cheaper alternatives.

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Plantation Shutters - Function Meets Beauty

Plantation shutters are becoming a popular, effective way to add a new, elegant look to your home. They are both functional and attractive.
Parts of a plantation shutter
Traditional plantation shutters have a rather simple design. Plantation shutters normally are made up of a set of full-length vertical panels, and can be divided into four main parts:
The horizontal slats found on the top and bottom of the shutter are referred to as the 'rails'. Some plantation shutters may also contain one or more horizontal rails in the center of the shutter, dividing the plantation shutter into separate tiers.
Located on the sides of the shutter, are vertical 'stiles'.
'Louvers' are the parallel slats found between the stiles, which are able to be tilted and adjusted to allow in more or less light. Louvers can be made in a number of various sizes and shapes.
The 'tilt rod' is the mechanism which controls the movement of the louvers. These also come in a variety of styles.

Single tilt rods are one continuous, vertical rod connecting and controlling all the louvers simultaneously.

A split tilt rod is exactly that: a tilt rod split into individual pieces. This allows separate control of several tiers found on one shutter panel, for example, adjusting the top tier to allow in more light, while keeping a lower tier's louvers closed, for privacy.

Hidden tilt rods allow the apparatus to be discreetly concealed behind the shutter panel.

Where did plantation shutters come from?Shutters have been used for many, many centuries. Some experts claim that they were used as far back as ancient Greece, with slats being made from marble slabs. They were used before glass was available, to provide protection from the elements, such as rain, wind, and direct heat from the sun's rays. They also effectively guarded against insects and small animals entering the building. The real function of the shutters was appreciated when these elements and pests passed, and the shutters could be opened, allowing for fresh sunlight and a cool breeze to ventilate the establishment.
Many old Southern homes found the beauty and practicality of these shutters, incorporating them into the design of the decadent mansions found on plantations in the Old South. The term 'plantation shutter' was derived from these applications. These shutters have seen remarkably few modifications since these early times.
Modern plantation shutters
Today, plantation shutters come in a vast array of sizes, styles, and materials. They can be found throughout the globe, in every style of home. Most are made of hardwoods such as poplar or bass and can a have a number of finishes to add architectural allure to residential and commercial properties. Plantation shutters made of rich woods such as cherry, oak, mahogany, or walnut are exceptionally attractive.
Plantation shutters can be used individually, or linked together to cover several windows, or one large one. Many manufacturers of plantation shutters allow you to have custom shutters built to your specifications to add a unique look to your home and make a design statement.
Today's plantation shutters still offer the many practicalities that previous generations found so useful. Plantation shutters are fully adjustable to allow for more or less light, offer privacy, and can even have insulation benefits.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent for Shenandoah Shutters. The custom plantation shutter company provides shutters across the east coast. For more information on their plantation shutters please visit their website.

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Quality Plantation Shutters - How to Tell the Good From the Bad, Part 3 of 3

Plantation shutters can be purchased at almost every price imaginable. If you're not a professional in the shutter industry, how do you distinguish between high-quality and low-quality products? There are a number of factors you can use to compare plantation shutters before making a commitment. In this article, we will explain how to tell the good from the bad.
Only wood plantation shutters will be discussed, since shutters made from MDF, composite, and polymer materials are different enough from wood plantation shutters in design and construction as to make fair comparisons impossible.
The Warranty Is The Best Proof of Quality
The truest measure of a company's confidence in the products it offers is the strength of its warranty. Most manufacturers of plantation shutters offer coverage for at least 10 years; many go to 25 years. A few even offer lifetime warranties (lifetime is usually defined as the original purchaser owning the house the shutters were purchased for). Because plantation shutters are usually built to last for decades, and people today move for often than in the past, a couple of companies have begun offering warranties that are transferable to the next home-owner.
There are three things to look for in a warranty. The first is the term: the longer the better. Second, see what is covered, as some companies exclude the finish and other components. Finally, a warranty isn't of much use if the company that backs it is not around when you need them. Make sure the company is well established so you can be confident they will be around for years to come.
Louver Shape Can Be A Factor
Louvers on traditional plantation shutters have an elliptical profile. They're about 1/2" thick in the middle and taper off at the edges. Some manufacturers make louvers with a flat profile because they are much easier to work with. A flat profile is quicker to paint, sand, and stain than an elliptical one, for example.
Flat louvers in and of themselves are not a quality flaw, especially when they are as substantial as their elliptical counterparts. However, many plantation shutters with flat louvers are made thin and insubstantial louvers, some are only 1/4" thick. This is thinner than even the very tip of the louvers on a quality plantation shutter.
Thinner louvers are more likely to warp. Either stay with the traditional elliptical louvers, or, if you prefer flat louvers, make sure they are thick enough to last.
All Shutters Need Periodic Adjustment
Tension control is the balance between how easy it is to move the louvers and how well they stay in position once adjusted. After many years of use, you may find that the louvers on a plantation shutter have loosened; the solution is to tighten the tension, if you can. Traditionally, manufacturers provide a screw in one or more of the louvers to adjust the tension. You tighten the screw to increase tension; loosen it to decrease tension.
Some manufacturers install self-tensioning nylon pins. Once installed, these pins cannot be adjusted. Although they are marketed as never needing maintenance, shutters with these pins actually need their tensioning adjusted about as often as shutters without them.
Manufacturers that omit tension screws are doing so for one reason: to reduce their costs. Make sure the shutters you purchase are designed to provide decades of service by giving you a way to tighten louvers as needed.
Beware of Plastic Staples on the Tilt-Rod
A tilt-rod is the vertical piece of wood running down the middle of each shutter panel that attaches to each louver. You use a tilt-rod to adjust the angle of the louvers.
Traditionally, tilt-rods are connected to the louvers by metal staples. Over time, or in a household with heavy use (such as one with small children), it's possible for the staples to be pulled out. Metal staples are easily repaired or replaced by pushing the staple back into its hole. To help secure it in place, a drop of glue can be put into the hole first and the excess wiped off. If you lose the staple, replacements are available at almost any hardware store, and most manufacturers will send replacements for free.
However, some manufacturers have switched to using plastic staples instead of metal ones. Not only are the plastic staples more complicated and fragile than their metal counterparts, it is almost impossible to find either the parts themselves or someone to fix your shutter if they are damaged.
Buy A Quality Shutter...But Don't Buy More Than You Need
There are literally thousands of shutters on the market today. Most of them display a mix of high-quality and lesser-quality characteristics. Buying quality is important; but buying more shutter than you need is a waste of money. Hopefully you are now armed with the information to shop knowledgeably for the quality shutters you need and want for your home and lifestyle.

Nathan Newton is a principal at Shutter Classic. See the full article and learn more about quality plantation shutters by visiting our web site.

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Quality Plantation Shutters - How to Tell the Good From the Bad - Part 2 of 3

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Plantation shutters can be purchased at almost every price imaginable. If you're not a professional in the shutter industry, how do you distinguish between high-quality and low-quality products? There are a number of factors you can use to compare plantation shutters before making a commitment. In this article, we will explain how to tell the good from the bad.
Only wood plantation shutters will be discussed, since shutters made from MDF, composite, and polymer materials are different enough from wood plantation shutters in design and construction as to make fair comparisons impossible.
Thicker Is Better
A strong indication of quality is a plantation shutter's thickness. The stiles (vertical supports on the left and right side of a panel) can range in thickness from 3/4" to about 1-1/4". The rails (horizontal supports across the top and bottom) can be as thin as 1/2". Thicker stiles mean higher quality. More material means the shutter will be more stable and less likely to warp or sag over time.
In general, a quality plantation shutter will have stiles greater than 1" in thickness.
Rails on shutters can be the same thickness as the stiles, or they can be thinner. In my experience, about half of all wood shutters are made with the rails thinner than the stiles. This is done as a design element, so it doesn't really factor into our comparison of quality. Thicker rails are better than thinner rails, but it is OK for the rails to be thinner than the stiles.
A Rabbet Cut Makes For A Better Joint
Plantation shutters are usually built with more than one panel. When two panels meet, there are a couple of ways to join them. The simplest is to cut each panel so it has a straight, flat edge, and let the two panels butt up against each other. The downside to this approach is that it creates an unsightly gap between the panels that light can seep through.
A better way to fit the panels together is to rabbet them. A small lip is carved into each panel in such a way that one panel overlaps the other by about 1/4". The rabbeted panels block light and ensure privacy.
It's common for panels to be rabbeted when they meet in the middle of the window. But the mark of a higher-quality plantation shutter is that rabbets are used every place the panels meet, even where two panels are hinged together. When you see plantation shutters with rabbets between hinged panels, you are looking at a hand-crafted piece of high-quality furniture.
Look For Dowel-and-Glue Joints
Stiles and rails are usually joined with dowels and glue, the most common method of joining wood throughout the furniture industry today. Almost every shutter manufacturer uses two dowels in each joint. This is true of all shutters, from the least to the most expensive, with very few exceptions.
Buy A Quality Shutter...But Don't Buy More Than You Need
There are literally thousands of shutters on the market today. Most of them display a mix of high-quality and lesser-quality characteristics. Buying quality is important; but buying more shutter than you need is a waste of money. Hopefully you are now armed with the information to shop knowledgeably for the quality shutters you need and want for your home and lifestyle.

Nathan Newton is a principal at Shutter Classic See the full article and learn more about quality plantation shutters by visiting our web site

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Quality Plantation Shutters - How to Tell the Good From the Bad - Part 1 of 3

 

 

Plantation shutters can be purchased at almost every price imaginable. If you're not a professional in the shutter industry, how do you distinguish between high-quality and low-quality products? There are a number of factors you can use to compare plantation shutters before making a commitment. In this article, we will explain how to tell the good from the bad.
Only wood plantation shutters will be discussed, since shutters made from MDF, composite, and polymer materials are different enough from wood plantation shutters in design and construction as to make fair comparisons impossible.
Telling High Quality From Low Quality
Let's compare two typical plantation shutter panels to illustrate the differences between higher and lower quality shutters.
Visualize this: both panels are 12" wide by 21" tall. They're made from the same Basswood, and have 3-1/2" louvers. Even with these elements being identical, you will see some surprising differences in the design, construction, and components of the imported and the custom-made shutter.
Good Design Means A Better Fit With Your Window
The first difference between these two shutter panels is in the number of louvers they have and the overall louver area. The higher-quality shutter has 5 louvers, while the lower-quality shutter has only 4. The reason has nothing to do with aesthetics, but with how the shutters were designed. One is a true custom-made shutter that was designed and manufactured for a specific window; the other is known as "cut-to-fit."
This design difference is the single most important factor in understanding a shutter's quality. Here's why:
The factory that makes the lower-quality shutters makes them to predetermined sizes; in this case, the heights of the shutters are made in 3-inch increments. So the factory makes shutters that are 18", 21", and 24" tall. If none of these dimensions fits your window's measurements exactly, the U.S. distributor takes a shutter the next size up and cuts it down to fit your window. This means the shutters have to be designed with taller rails and wider stiles so these pieces are large enough to cut down. For most customers, the result is a shutter with a larger area proportionally of stiles and rails, and a smaller area for the louvers. Fewer louvers mean less light and a more restricted view.
In contrast, the higher-quality shutter is customized to fit the window right from the start. Each shutter is designed to fit the measurements of a specific window in your home. In this sense, it's like a suit that's been tailor-made for its owner from the cutting of the fabric to the final fitting. The result is a more balanced shutter and a brighter and airier window.
While the cut-to-fit technique is less expensive, the overall lower quality is obvious even to the casual observer.
The Right Hinge Makes A Stronger Shutter
Two basic types of hinges are used on shutters: butt and non-mortise. When you unfold a butt hinge, it can resemble a butterfly, with the left flap the same size as the right one. With butt hinges, the two flaps fold together (or "butt up") against each other.
In contrast, the left and right pieces of an open non-mortise hinge aren't the same. Flaps on a non-mortise hinge fold one-above-the-other or one-inside-the-other. With non-mortise hinges, the two flaps are each only half the height of the hinge.
For butt hinges to fit properly, the edge of the shutter has to be mortised, or chiseled out, so that the hinge is counter-sunk into the shutter and its surface is flush with the surface of the shutter. In contrast, non-mortised hinges (as their name implies) do not require this sort of modification to the shutter.
It's less expensive for manufacturers to use non-mortised hinges, since they don't require mortising. However, non-mortise hinges are weaker than butt hinges, since each hinge flap is only half the size of a butt hinge flap. Weaker hinges may hold up well for a few years, but quality plantation shutters are made to last for decades.
Two Layers Are Better Than One
When plantation shutters are finished with paint or clear topcoats, some manufacturers try to save money by applying just one layer of topcoat over a stain, or only one layer of paint over primer. High-quality shutters have at least two coats of each.
A painted plantation shutter with only one coat of paint will have a rougher feel than one with two or more coats. And stained shutter will have a richer luster if a second layer of clear coat is applied.
Buy A Quality Shutter...But Don't Buy More Than You Need
There are literally thousands of shutters on the market today. Most of them display a mix of high-quality and lesser-quality characteristics. Buying quality is important; but buying more shutter than you need is a waste of money. Hopefully you are now armed with the information to shop knowledgeably for the quality shutters you need and want for your home and lifestyle.

Nathan Newton is a principal at Shutter Classic. See the full article and learn more about quality plantation shutters by visiting our web site.

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